Paraben Free Skin Care

As I do my online browsing every day, I've been coming across news about Parabens, a very popular cosmetic preservative. It's not good news I can tell you. And, I have alot of products with parabens in them. There's other chemicals too that can be found in almost everything we use.

Here's a paragraph taken directly from the FAQs at The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

"Parabens are a group of compounds widely used as anti-microbial preservatives in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics products, including underarm deodorants. Parabens are absorbed through intact skin and from the gastrointestinal tract and blood. U.K. researchers found measurable concentrations of six different parabens in 20 human breast tumors. The study highlights the need for more research on the potential link between products containing parabens and increased breast cancer risk.
Many companies, including Compact signers, have begun phasing out parabens from their lines by marking their products as “paraben-free.” Parabens are commonly listed on product ingredient labels as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben."

I even looked at my toddler's baby lotion (from Huggies) and yes there are parabens in the baby lotion. That just made me feel ill.
I know that for years I've been using all kinds of stuff with these chemicals in them. Sometimes it's unavoidable and I'm just going to have to accept that they are in there. Sounds bad I know, but there's not much else I can do. There are some products I can buy that are paraben free but others that aren't.

And, of course, you're thinking...doesn't the government do something about this? What about the FDA? The FDA, I found out, does not regulate the cosmetics industry. Beside, this is the same FDA who knew about the contaminated spinach farms and the contaminated Peter Pan Peanutbutter plant for YEARS before people got sick and died.

But, I digress. I have found many many wonderful products, made by Indie etailers that are Paraben free!!! I'm going to focus on two online stores that are fast becoming two of my favorite places to shop....
Flour City Bakery at www.flourcitybakery.com
Aloha Coconut at www.alohacoconut.com

Here's what Karley at Flour City Bakery says about Parabens and her commitment to her customers:
"I have made a commitment to sell products that are free of sulfates, parabens, any unnatural preservatives, and any other potentially harmful chemical agents....Flour City Bakery has agreed to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. I am awaiting the approval process, which should be complete by the end of the month. No major companies including the major US lines will sign this, because it could result in a loss of sales dollars.As you know, Flour City Bakery is actively involved in donating to charitable causes funding cancer research. To maintain my personal integrity as well as my business mission, I refuse to sell products that contain any of these ingredients found on the Safe Cosmetics website. " (FYI: you can click on this Post's title and it will take you to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website.)

Karley makes everything herself and her products range from soaps, lotions, baby bath products, facial care and wax tarts.

Aloha Coconut is really becoming one of my favorite online stores. I love Jennifer's Monoi de Tahiti oil (see my archived post on that "miracle product") and have been using her lotions and her new 3-in-one body wash. And, the scents are really really good!!

Here's what Jennifer says about her paraben free site:
"Philosophy: High Quality Ingredients - Exceptional Customer Service.

The Concept: Natural Paraben Free products with a fun tropical flair!

The Story:
"After turning over countless bottles of my store bought lotions and shampoos - I started wondering what exactly was I putting on my skin?
I started researching all the ingredients at www.ewg.org in the
"Skin Deep" section. I also read dozens of articles mentioning the estrogenic effects of Parabens on the body and a possible link between Parabens and Breast Cancer. I decided to create a fun tropical "Paraben Free" Haven where you know everything you buy has been thoroughly researched and tested. I truly care about my customers. I would never sell anything that I wouldn't feel comfortable using for myself, my friends or family. I want you to feel beautiful inside and out!"

So there you go, two wonderful online stores that are Indie Etailers and committed to making chemical free products. I have personally used products from both of these women and have developed some loyalties such as the Monoi de Tahiti from Aloha Coconut and Flour City Bakery's eye care products.

If you know of any online store that is "paraben free" let me know so I can take a look and add them to the blog. If I find any more sites I will definitely let you know.